June 17, 2005 at 3:11 pm ·
Filed under 1 - Top Stories
Monster Dad: Why did Jerry Hobbs murder his own daughter?
Top Story: A rational explanation can be found in unimpeded alcoholism.
Parents in the quiet community of Zion, Illinois were "shocked"after the fatal stabbings of eight-year-old Laura Hobbs and her best friend, 9-year-old Krystal Tobias, by Laura's father, Jerry Brandon Hobbs lll. State Attorney Michael Walker said, "there isn't any rational explanation for what happened,"while Zion Police Chief Doug Malcolm intoned, "This sort of thing just doesn't happen here."
Yet, Hobbs had reportedly been arrested 29 times in the last 15 years for committing violent acts. Once, "a drunken Hobbs chased neighbors with a chainsaw"while screaming at his girlfriend and mother of his child, Sheila Hollabaugh, "I'll kill you."He was last released ...
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May 20, 2005 at 11:16 am ·
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"Christy" writes:
"I have a questions concerning HR Policy with companies and alcoholism. Northrop-Grumman in particular...and some specific questions concerning intervention. Are there legal limitations that prevent them from taking or pursuing action against an alcoholic? Why are they so lax?
I have reported an alcholic to the Northrop-Grumman company. They are just watching his behavior and of course he is smart enough not to drink on the job. He never misses work, etc. He drinks excessively while attending association meetings on Northrop-Grumman's behalf after hours. This is part of his "job".
I have read your book on the Myths of Alcoholism, and can't say enough how much I have agreed with your conclusions. ...
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May 12, 2005 at 12:28 pm ·
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John asks: "I am a Certified DUI Counselor, and a Registered Addiction Specialist, and am curious as to what your perspective is on the "spirituality"(i.e. RELIGION!) component is with regards to "recovering" addicts/alcoholics, and if such a "basis" should be endorsed/incorporated into an addict's/alcoholic's recovery? Also, have you done any research with atheist/agnostic alcoholics (I personally have never met one!), (you may be able to find them at: "secularsobriety.org"), and if so, what have you found out? I am interested in becoming employed in the "addiction/recovery" field FULL-TIME, but am finding it beyond diffucult given the insane prejudice, and predominance of 12-Step (i.e. "spirituality"/religion based programs)."
The acceptance of a higher power is essential to sobriety. The reason is, ...
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May 12, 2005 at 10:38 am ·
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Carol writes: "I wanted to share with you that I am sharing your message on the
addiction of drinking and have recommended your book to many. I am
hearing so many stories from friends that are struggling with family
members that have horrible moods because of drinking. I'll begin to start
asking your questions and they are amazed at how I would know the behavior.
I give you and your book all the credit. Thank you for a strong message
that is getting through."
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May 12, 2005 at 10:15 am ·
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Daniel writes: "Just finished the book. Definitely worth the money and the time to read it! I'm certainly picking up on the signs you mention in other people. I suspect that my cousin must have inhereted the alcoholism that runs in my family now. I was particularly intrigued by the theory that political turmoil in Africa could be explained by alcoholism. That's the first plausable explanation I've ever read to explain why Africa remains in turmoil despite having been freed of colonial rule long ago. I also liked the last chapter with the theory on how acceptance of powerlessness over events and other people leads to less worry and more creativity.
Incedentally, I am surprised that Michael ...
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May 12, 2005 at 10:03 am ·
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Kathryn writes: "hi have recently got a DWI, and i would really like to stop driving unde the influence, if you could help me"
Simple, Kathryn: attend AA. Recovering alcoholics mostly attest to it, and especially to "90 meetings in 90 days."
Hopefully, you'll get sober before you kill or seriously injure someone.
And, tell your friends and family to read my books--they are for them, not for you, so that the next time they are ready to enable your poor behaviors, they will think twice--and stop.
Good luck Kathryn.
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May 12, 2005 at 10:01 am ·
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Frank writes: "I think you are performing a great service, and I commend you and thank you for it.
I'll keep passing the word along to others about you and your books. And I will be reading your newsletter and other online material."
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May 12, 2005 at 10:01 am ·
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Tracy writes: "Many thanks for this work and this site. You have touched my heart. Just to note that both Charles Dickens and "Mark Twain" were substantially changed in their later years. Although I know less about the life of Twain, I know Dickens became obsessed with a young woman in in latter years, and his writing and subject matter became more and more dark and cynical. In his last, unfinished novel, opium addiction is treated is a loathing/obsessive way with suggests personal experience."
I asked Tracy, What in the world are you saying about Dickens and Twain? They were addicts?
She responded: "You had reviewed some of the signs of addiction. I have, in the course ...
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May 12, 2005 at 9:58 am ·
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Bob writes: "I have a 16 yr old that continues to struggle with pot and alcohol. One yr ago he went to hazelden rehab in Minnesota and relapsed 3 months after his return. he was recently thrown out of his 2nd high school due to being drunk at homecoming. He is now in AA. He is a bright, good looking healthy guy that his mother and i love dearly. we are afraid he will die if this behavior continues. Any suggestions as to handle our situation would be appreciated."
As I repeatedly emphasize in my books (which give you the knowledge and understanding to have the wherewithal to do this), uncompromising tough love is required.
As should be ...
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May 12, 2005 at 9:57 am ·
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Dennis writes: "After 20 years of drinking and 12 years of marriage I got the dreaded, "I don't love you anymore and I want a divorce," notice. Heratbroken, I finally saw that my drinking, in fact, WAS that bad after all. That led me to a 'fellowship of men and women' which, to date, has resulted in 25+ years of continuous sobriety. I strngly support the "tough love" concept espoused here and wish we could get state legislatures to pass laws regulating drunk drivers on that principle."
I only wish we could get cops to test every traffic violator for DUI. They think they can spot one by talking with one--but, as you and I know, they often cannot.
Too bad she ...
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May 12, 2005 at 9:48 am ·
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Dot writes: "Just caught the tail end of your interview on this morning's radio. Watching my son and daughter in law's marriage go down the tubes with her doing everything she can think of to hold on to it. His father(my x-husband is an alcoholic, so was his grandfather and grandmother on his father's side alcholic along with two brothers. I have been in a recovery for 18 years looking at all my family history disfunction along with my own. I have been looking at my son's possible male menopause but now thinking back to my own recovery lessons, I am seeing early stages of alcoholism. If I even mention alcoholish to my children they ...
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May 12, 2005 at 9:45 am ·
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Dan writes: " Is regular marajuana use sufficent proof of drug addiction, in conjuction with the irresponsible and manipulative behaviors typical of addiction? I have read elsewhere that marajuana is not an addictive drug, but I have a friend I strongly suspect, based on what I learned in PreventTragedy, to be some kind of drug addict and marajuana is the only thing I can pin him on so far. (I have just ordered "Drugs, Drunks, and Debits" from Amazon, so if this is discussed in the book and you are too busy to discuss it here, I will know in a couple weeks.)
P.S. Man, am I dumb! I've been subscribed to that newsletter since ...
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May 12, 2005 at 9:38 am ·
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Jan writes: "I was married to a "Hidden Alcoholic" for nearly 28 years. Now divorced I am still recovering and others who know him cannot understand or validate the signs that I eventually saw and experienced with my ex-husband.
While your website does offer other links and resources, Mr. Thorborn's information does reveal that if police officers and experts in the field of abuse often do not see the early warning signs, are there sources which regard Mr. Thorburn's work highly and adopt his views either for counseling or instructing the public?
Though I have adult sons, I could still see them riding in the car while my ex-husband continues to drive. And though I will ask them to read ...
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May 12, 2005 at 9:34 am ·
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Mike M. writes:
"have you given any thought to obesity/overeating as a form of addiction? A few people in my life have had a real problem with this, and it affected their personalities in narcissistic ways similar to what you describe. Moreover, the disease is eventually fatal unless the afflicted person finds a path to remission/recovery. The techniques used in Overeaters Anonymous are based on Alcoholics Anonymous because of the similarities.
I think it might be jumping to conclusions to assume addiction is necessarily the explanation for rude behavior. Sometimes just youth and immaturity could be a decent explanation. Or a very elderly person who's started to lose it. In the most ...
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May 10, 2005 at 2:47 pm ·
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I wrote the following and received a response, which follows. My original post is on her guest book at www.AnnRules.com page 173 in the current guest book, which will be Guest Book 28 (yes, she is popular).
"Comments by Doug Thorburn on Monday, January 10, 2005 at 17:46 IP Logged
Dear Ms. Rule,
Numerous behavioral indications of alcohol and other drug addiction for Allen Blackthorne are cited in Every Breath You Take, including power-seeking misbehaviors ranging from pathological lying to manipulative charm. There are at least two dozen other behavioral symptoms, including serial adultery, domestic violence, telephonitis and manic mood swings. Blackthorne was also the child of two alcoholics, which dramatically increases the odds of inheriting the disease. Yet, you ...
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